Aircraft passenger reading light

Abstract

An aircraft passenger reading light, which is operable in at least two predetermined configurations, comprises: a light source; an optical element; and an actuation mechanism, which is configured to modify a distance between the light source and the optical element. The distance (D) between the light source and the optical element differs in the at least two predetermined configurations and a spatial extension of the illumination, which results from the light output of the light source and the optical element, differs in the at least two predetermined configurations.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An aircraft passenger reading light, which is operable in at least two predetermined configurations, the aircraft passenger reading light comprising:
 a light source; 
 an optical element; 
 an actuation mechanism, which is configured to modify a distance between the light source and the optical element; and 
 a housing, 
 wherein the distance between the light source and the optical element differs in the at least two predetermined configurations and wherein a spatial extension of the illumination, which results from the light output of the light source and the optical element, differs in the at least two predetermined configurations, and 
 wherein the actuation mechanism includes an actuation member that is rotatable with respect to the housing, wherein the actuation member is mechanically coupled with the optical element and/or with the light source such that rotation of the actuation member modifies the distance between the light source and the optical element, wherein the actuation member includes a tubular actuation member, wherein the optical element and/or the light source is/are arranged at least partly within the tubular actuation member, and wherein the tubular actuation member is arranged in the housing, with the tubular actuation member being accessible only from inside the tubular actuation member. 
 
     
     
       2. The aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 1 , wherein an opening angle (α) of the light output of the light source and the optical element differs in the at least two predetermined configurations. 
     
     
       3. The aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 1 , wherein rotation of the actuation member causes a linear movement of the optical element and/or of the light source in a longitudinal direction, wherein the axis of rotation (A) of the actuation member in particular coincides with said longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       4. The aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the tubular actuation member comprises a circumferential wall, and wherein a slot, which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, is formed within the circumferential wall of the tubular actuation member, and 
 wherein a guide member, which is mechanically coupled with the optical element or with the light source, extends into said slot, so that the guide member moves within the slot, when the tubular actuation member is rotated. 
 
     
     
       5. The aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 4 , wherein the guide member is at least partially elastically deformable, wherein the guide member is in particular elastically deformed, when it is accommodated within the slot. 
     
     
       6. The aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 4 , wherein at least two dents are formed at different positions along the slot for accommodating the guide member, wherein each dent corresponds to a respective one of the at least two predetermined configurations of the aircraft passenger reading light. 
     
     
       7. The aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one longitudinal guide member; and 
 at least one corresponding guiding structure, provided at the optical element and/or at a support structure of the light source, for guiding the optical element and/or the support structure of the light source along the at least one longitudinal guide member and for preventing the optical element and/or the light source from rotating. 
 
     
     
       8. The aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 1 , wherein the light source is an LED or wherein the light source includes one or more LEDs. 
     
     
       9. The aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical element includes at least one lens, wherein the optical element in particular includes at least one Fresnel lens. 
     
     
       10. A passenger service unit for a passenger aircraft, wherein the passenger service unit comprises at least one aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       11. An aircraft, such as an airplane or a helicopter, comprising at least one aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
       12. An aircraft, such as an airplane or a helicopter, comprising at least one passenger service unit according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
       13. A method of adjusting a light output of an aircraft passenger reading light according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes:
 changing the distance between the optical element and the light source from a first predetermined distance to a second predetermined distance via the actuation mechanism, in particular changing the distance between the optical element and the light source from the first predetermined distance to the second predetermined distance by rotating the actuation member with respect to the housing.